Cheerleaders, Parents Speak Out In Support of Fired Coach

by
Kristin Danley 12/5/2017

The Colorado cheer coach fired from his position of training young cheerleaders after a shocking and controversial video of he and the girls was released, has continually received support from few people rallying by his side who have disputed the claims initially made against him. Some parents are expressing support for Coach Williams, too. The video that was released to the media shows 13-year-old Ally Wakefield crying out in agonizing pain while doing a front split.

The girls were attending Coach Ozell Williams' cheer camp in August. Coach Williams says the camps are designed to help girls learn the proper techniques of cheerleading. Ally captured videos of herself and other girls ages 13 to 17 attempting to execute the splits. She refers to them as "forced splits," because her video appears to show Coach Williams pushing the girls down as they scream out in pain, begging for him to stop. But Coach Williams says Ally was yelling stop because she didn't want her foot to "slide anymore," not because they were pushing her down.

Coach Williams, other girls and parents say to pay close attention to his hands in those videos. The coach is not pushing her down, but instead has his hands under her arms supporting her and lifting her as she attempts to sink lower into the splits. Coach Williams said the girls and media have portrayed him to be a monster and it's "not who I am." Ally told the media that she was uncomfortable doing the splits and her mother contacted school officials who then reviewed the footage and fired both Coach Williams and a school principal. Ally's mother said doctors believe she tore muscle tissue and may have pulled her hamstring. Watch the video below to see Coach William's interview and also the controversial footage for yourself! What do you think?